Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau indicated Monday that Ovechkin could miss Wednesday's game at New Jersey but could return for the home-and-home against Florida on Friday and Saturday.

"I would venture to guess that he's more probable for the weekend than he is for Wednesday," Boudreau said.

Boudreau offered few other details about the injury, which forced Ovechkin to leave in the second period of Sunday's overtime loss to Columbus. Ovechkin appeared to hurt his left shoulder or left arm during a scrum that started when he was bumped by Jason Chimera and responded with a shove.

Later in the period, Ovechkin became tangled with Raffi Torres and fell to the ice. Ovechkin got up grimacing and gingerly skated to the locker-room.

The Capitals did not practise Monday, but Ovechkin was at the practice facility for treatment. Boudreau said the injury did not require an MRI.

Ovechkin has missed only two games due to injury since coming to the NHL in 2005. He also missed two games last season to be with his ailing grandfather in Russia.

Ovechkin led the league in goals (14) and points (23) through Sunday's games. Boudreau said the team can't get into a high-scoring game without its best offensive player.

"We have to buckle down," Boudreau said. "You look at a goal a game he scores. We've got to play better defence. We can't allow four and five goals a game."